Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth
After a large defeat 4-0 at Southampton, Arsenal and their playmaker Ozil bounced back and sit atop of the Premier League. If Leceister beats Manchester City, they will regain first place. In all aspects it is a good performance for Arsene Wenger’s men as he commented:
On the win…
It was nervy at the start because we had to swallow the 4-0 [at Southampton] and it didn’t go well and I think we were focused at the start not to concede a stupid goal and got slowly into the game. I changed a few players and put Calum Chambers at the centre of the park so it took us a while to get going but I think in the last 70 minutes we were in control of the game and did very well.
on if Southampton was in the players’ minds…
You can’t go from the start of the season to the end of the season without disappointment at some stage. This was a big one. After that it is down to how well you respond and that what was at stake today.
on the importance of confidence…
For me it is more to win the game. If we are one point ahead or one point behind it is not too important, it is more the consistency of the results and the feeling that we go on stronger and we play in a very efficient way like we did today.
on Mesut Ozil…
Mesut was the focal point of our team because we had a new midfield today and he gives reassurance with his technical security and ability. When we had problems in the first part of the game it went always through him and it gives you confidence and security.
on if it was one of his best performances…
I have seen a few good games from Ozil but what is important is that he convinces everybody that he is not only a talented player but a player that is always willing to work for the team and work hard. He has added scoring goals to his assists and overall he is a complete player.
on if he has had a player like him before…
I have not seen many of that quality but I was quite lucky in my career. For me I don’t like to compare players and he is an exceptional player. I think you have to give me credit that I defended that point of view even when you were sceptical about it. What is very important is that he comes as good as he can be and he is on his way. Is there a lot left? I don’t know, but what he is doing at the moment is fantastic.
on if he is the best player in the Premier League…
Look at the numbers and assists and they speak for him.
on if Ozil has become better this season…
Yes. That is what it is about. His career no matter what he does is to be better every day. That focus, that consistency. Some cannot [do it] but he is consistently showing he is going upwards.
on if Ozil is like Dennis Bergkamp…
Yes. Bergkamp was more of a goalscorer and Mesut was more of an assist [player] but now he becomes more of a goalscorer. They are really comparable.
on what gave him faith in Mesut Ozil…
Remarkable technical quality. Something that I enjoy very much is the timing of his passes. It is never surprising. If you think in the stand he should give the ball now – it is now. By the time you have finished your thinking the ball has gone already. He is somebody whose song is always the right tone and that is something that is very difficult to achieve in the game because on the pitch the decisions you have to make are so quick and to get that always right is not easy.
on Cech’s record…
I think he can be very proud of that because it is a remarkable achievement and people once again don’t realise how much commitment is behind that, the focus and consistency in his attitude. On top of that he is a a remarkably gifted goalkeeper. The consistency is the most difficult to achieve for somebody.
